Ronald Center Works In 1944 his symphonic poem The Coming of Cuchulain was played by the Scottish Orchestra under the conductorship of Warwick Braithwaite. There followed broadcasts of his piano compositions and songs on the BBC Home Service in the “Modern Scottish Composers” series. Later he was persuaded by Walter Susskind to show him the score of Divertimento for String Orchestra, the outcome of which was its performance in Edinburgh, Glasgow and his native Aberdeen. The work was loudly acclaimed and described by one noted critic as “a most compelling work by a composer of some merit.” The following information will show the wide variety and extent of Ronald’s compositions for voice, solo instruments, strings and full orchestra, all of which illustrate the intensity and car which he applied to all that he did. Works shown in Italics are lost.
Orchestral Music Symphony No. 1 The Coming of Cuchulain String Orchestra Divertimento Sinfonietta Nocturne Lacrimae Elegy Chamber Music String Quartet No. 1‡ String Quartet No. 2 String Quartet No. 3 Violin Sonata Suite for solo violoncello Dance Rustique for violoncello and piano Duo for violin and violoncello (also violin and bassoon, oboe and violoncello, oboe and bassoon) Little Canon for violin and violoncello Piano Music Sonata† Sonatine
Suite Three Movements: 1. Prelude 2. Poco Adagio 3. Toccata Larghetto Pantomime in 3 movements: 1. Pantaloon 2. Columbine 3. Harlequin Prelude, Aria and Finale 6 Bagatelles 3 Preludes and Fugues Three Studies From Childhood† Rumba Prelude Toccata† Giglot† Burlesca Homage Impromptu Air Saranbande Melodie Molto Allegro 2 Andantes Phantasy Untitled Work Choral Music Alleluia SATB with piano accompaniment As I lay upon a night (Words from the Selden MS. Bodleian Library, Oxford) SATB a cappella Christmas now is drawing near at hand (Anon.) SATB a cappella Christus natus hodie SATB with accompaniment Dona nobis pacem Cantata for soli, mixed chorus, organ, piano, timpani and sidedrums Dona nobis pacem Beat, beat drums Word over all, beautiful sky (Walt Whitman) Dirge for two veterans (Walt Whitman) The Angel of Death has been abroad throughout the land The Glory of the latter house shall be greater than that of the former Glory be to God in the Highest, Alleluia Agnus Dei Festival of Carols 3 treble voices and harpsichord Gloria in excelsis Deo SATB with organ accompaniment God be in my head (Serum Primer 1558) SATB a cappella Hymn to the Virgin† (Anon c. 1300) SATB a cappella
If Ye love me (St. John XIV, v. 15, 16 and 17) SATB a cappella Kyrie Eleison SATB a cappella Laudate Dominum SATB with organ accompaniment Magnificat (Luke I, v. 46-55) SATB a cappella Now make we merthè (Words Anon. 15th century) SATB with piano or organ accompaniment Nunc Dimittus ST in unison in 1st part, SATB in final section Of a Rose singè we (Words from the Selden MS. Bodleian Library, Oxford) SATB a cappella Omnes una gaudeamus (Words from the Selden MS. Bodleian Library, Oxford) SATB a cappella Procession and Recession unison voices and piano accompaniment 1. Good Day, Sire Cristemas 2. Wolecum, Yule 3. Now make we merthè 4. As dew in Aprille 5. Spring Carol 6. There is no Rose† 7. A Babe is Born 8. This little Babe 9. Deo Gracias Requiem Soli, SATB a cappella and with piano accompaniment Sanctus Domine Deus SATB a cappella There is no Rose of such Virtue† (Words Anon. 15th century) SATB a cappella This day (Words from the Selden MS. Bodleian Library, Oxford) SATB a cappella Three Kings came riding (Parton dall Oriente, “Laude Spiritiali” - Conferati edition 1674) SATB a cappella Wither’s Rocking Hymn† (Words by George Withers [1588-1667]) SATB a cappella
Songs Four Songs in praise of Spring (Shakespeare) 1. It was a lover and his lass 2. Daffodils, that come before the swallow dares 3. The sweet O’ the year 4. For Winter’s rains and ruins are over Serenade (Longfellow) If thou art sleeping maiden (Santa Teresa) Evensong (Christian Gibbs) The Unchanging (B. R. Gibbs) Spring Sorrow (Rupert Brooke) The Angel and the Child (Jean Rebone)
Scottish Song Arrangements (Words by Robert Burns unless otherwise stated) : There was a lass (Melody by George Thomson, published in 1783)
Lassie wi’ the lint white locks (Tune: Rothiemurchie’s Rant) The Lass o’ Gowrie (Words: Traditional. Air: Old Scottish Strathspey “Loch Erochside”) O this is no my ain lassie (Tune: “This is no my ain hoose” published 1709 in the George Thomson collection) Mary Morison (Tune: Anonymous) A man’s a man (Tune: Old Jacobite Air) My love she’s but a lassie yet (Words by James Hogg. Air: “Lady Badinscoths Reel”) O’ a’ the Airt’s (Air by William Marshall) Ca’ the Yowes (Air: Traditional Dorian Mode) Simmer’s a pleasant time (Traditional Scottish Air) Duncan Gray (Air: Duncan Gray; named after a Glasgow carter) O Willie brewed (Tune by Allan Masterton) There was a Lad (Air: “O gin ye were dead, gudeman” 1540) Up wi’ the Carls o’ Dysart I’m owre young to marry yet Ye Banks and Braes (Air: “Lost is my quiet forever”) Loch Lomond (Traditional Scottish Air) The Gallant Weaver Dast May a braw Wooer (Air: “The Lothian Lassie” published in George Thomson’s collection) O, whistle and I’ll come to ye, my lad (Air claimed to be by John Bruce) My Heart is sair (Air: “Somebody”) The Deil’s awa’ (Air: “The Hemp Dresser”) Willie Wastle (Air: “Tibbie Fowler” in George Thomson’s collection) Corn Riggs (Air: “Corn Riggs”) ‡
Published by Novello & Co. Ltd (Music Sales) Published by Roberton Publications
†
To Evelyn on the death of her husband Ronald Think of me - as one who shares your sorrow at this time. For you a loved one gone - for me a friend. One who inspired; who led; who brought to life New worlds of music, and of song. Weep not for him who now has passed beyond all pain and sadness; For in him was life - Life so full and vital, that even Death itself can not stamp out the message left for all who wish to see; That message shown to us through gifts so fine; By one whose rare perception could discern the qualities of greatness - and use them. Beauty through music; in art; in bud and flower, Creation’s perfect picture. All were to him a poem of Divine purpose, All inspiration for him, to reveal to us through gifts and talents rare, a message of love; and life, in all its poignant meaning. How can we weep - when he has given so much to us? Would he have tears? No! Rather weep for those who had the opportunity of knowing such a man and yet dismissed the opportunity as nothing. Theirs is the loss indeed; for them the tears; Lost words - lost chances - gone, for ever. Yet we, who are at times half-blinded by our own abilities; To whom the world’s acclaim means to rise or fall, Can learn humility from gazing at the heart of this fine man. Unassuming, Honest and sincere, To whom wastage of time was sin, when time is short. Too short. Too short for all he had to do. Life was a race; the goal - to leave the world a little richer than before. He reached his goal. Praise God for such a man! Life has been enriched because he lived, because he wrote; Because he cared. Written by a Senior Pupil (18/4/1973)